Tjack05
May 27th, 2009, 01:17 PM
Background Info: My husband and I cruised Memorial Day Weekend. We are in our mid-20s and definitely working on a tight budget. I cruised before as a teenager (so you can still consider this a first time cruise as an adult). But, this was my husband's first cruise.
Parking: We parked at the Park-n-Go, which is $12 a day or $10.50 a day with an AAA membership. The shuttles picked us up and dropped us off at our car. We did not have to wait for the shuttles to come. The parking lot is about 5 min away from the port.
Embarkation: The process is definitely different. You basically make your way through 6 different stations. The process was not too bad. We were able to make it through the stations in about 45 minutes.
1) Security Point - Walk through the metal detectors while luggage goes through scanners
2) Forms -Swine flu form, passenger info (2 per passenger), and cruise account form. The passenger info form can be found on the website. However, the cruise account form is outdated on the website so I had to refill that out.
3) Confirm reservation and check forms
4) Pre-boarding station - attendant checks passport and takes forms. You put credit card or money on the account at this time. Also, you get your Guest Card, which is used for charging to your account and room access.
5) Take a photo for the Guest Card
6) Select dinner time and dining room selection...After all of this you are able to board the ship.
Cabin: We were booked in cabin 7318. This is an ocean view cabin with a queen sized bed and 2 bunk beds. The room was a decent size for 2 people (I would not recommend more for this size room). There is no iron due to fire safety regulations. The room had a desk with a large mirror. Flat screen TV with a about 5 channels. The AC worked in this room (talked to a couple on the same deck who did not have working AC). The water pressure and temperature was perfect.
Food: The food was decent. It was not the best meal I have ever had; however, it was not the worst either. The selection seemed to be very limited. We ate in both the Rio (buffet) and Crystal Room (five course meal). The Rio was okay. We went on the second night, which was Mexican night. On the third night, we went to the Crystal Room. I had the Prime Rib, which was delicious. My husband had the Shrimp Fettucini, which he also enjoyed. Also, we ate at the Trattoria for late night dining. The pizza was very tasty and held us over to the next day.
On board Activities: Some of the on board activities (for an additional cost) included: Bingo, Happy Hours, Casino, Spa, Horse Racing, and Souvenir Pictures (2 for $15 (5x7) $20 for 8 x 10).
Some of the free on board activities included: Shopping in Nassau Seminar, Karaoke Madness, Free Gaming Lessons, 50's and 60's Party, 70's and 80's Party, Entertainment Show (Vegas Style - Dancing, Singing, Juggling acts), Trivia quiz, Board Game Tournaments, Ping Pong Tournament, Dance class, Napkin folding demonstration, Pool Games, Cocktail Making Demonstration, Animal Towel Folding Demonstration
Nassau & Shore Excursions: We bought the glass bottom boat tour, which was $49 per person. They give us a harbor tour and aquatic life tour. It was very interesting and worth the money. Most of the shore excursions were priced about $40 or higher per person. We would not recommend paying the additional $50 per person for the Cable Beach or Paradise Island Experience. We traveled by taxi to the Cable Beach Casino $20 round trip for 2. The taxi driver told us that the Cable Beach was a private beach for the resort hotels. However, we were able to go out on the beach and use the beach chairs with no problem. The beach area was not too crowded so we were able to find seating. Just remember to bring your own towels or take one from the room.
Disembarkation: This is the one negative aspect about the Bahamas Celebration cruise. You have to be out of the cabin by 8:00 am. They let people off starting at about 9 am starting with deck 9 and working their way down to the lower decks. We were able to leave the ship by about 9:45. We did not have to walk through drug-sniffing dogs as stated by another review.
Overall Experience:The staff was great and accommodating. The ship was very clean. They were consistently vacuuming and cleaning. My husband and I had a great trip for a low cost. We would definitely cruise with Caribbean Cruise Line again especially if we are on a tight budget.
PS - $5 per person/ a day fuel charge was added during this trip.
Grade = A-
Parking: We parked at the Park-n-Go, which is $12 a day or $10.50 a day with an AAA membership. The shuttles picked us up and dropped us off at our car. We did not have to wait for the shuttles to come. The parking lot is about 5 min away from the port.
Embarkation: The process is definitely different. You basically make your way through 6 different stations. The process was not too bad. We were able to make it through the stations in about 45 minutes.
1) Security Point - Walk through the metal detectors while luggage goes through scanners
2) Forms -Swine flu form, passenger info (2 per passenger), and cruise account form. The passenger info form can be found on the website. However, the cruise account form is outdated on the website so I had to refill that out.
3) Confirm reservation and check forms
4) Pre-boarding station - attendant checks passport and takes forms. You put credit card or money on the account at this time. Also, you get your Guest Card, which is used for charging to your account and room access.
5) Take a photo for the Guest Card
6) Select dinner time and dining room selection...After all of this you are able to board the ship.
Cabin: We were booked in cabin 7318. This is an ocean view cabin with a queen sized bed and 2 bunk beds. The room was a decent size for 2 people (I would not recommend more for this size room). There is no iron due to fire safety regulations. The room had a desk with a large mirror. Flat screen TV with a about 5 channels. The AC worked in this room (talked to a couple on the same deck who did not have working AC). The water pressure and temperature was perfect.
Food: The food was decent. It was not the best meal I have ever had; however, it was not the worst either. The selection seemed to be very limited. We ate in both the Rio (buffet) and Crystal Room (five course meal). The Rio was okay. We went on the second night, which was Mexican night. On the third night, we went to the Crystal Room. I had the Prime Rib, which was delicious. My husband had the Shrimp Fettucini, which he also enjoyed. Also, we ate at the Trattoria for late night dining. The pizza was very tasty and held us over to the next day.
On board Activities: Some of the on board activities (for an additional cost) included: Bingo, Happy Hours, Casino, Spa, Horse Racing, and Souvenir Pictures (2 for $15 (5x7) $20 for 8 x 10).
Some of the free on board activities included: Shopping in Nassau Seminar, Karaoke Madness, Free Gaming Lessons, 50's and 60's Party, 70's and 80's Party, Entertainment Show (Vegas Style - Dancing, Singing, Juggling acts), Trivia quiz, Board Game Tournaments, Ping Pong Tournament, Dance class, Napkin folding demonstration, Pool Games, Cocktail Making Demonstration, Animal Towel Folding Demonstration
Nassau & Shore Excursions: We bought the glass bottom boat tour, which was $49 per person. They give us a harbor tour and aquatic life tour. It was very interesting and worth the money. Most of the shore excursions were priced about $40 or higher per person. We would not recommend paying the additional $50 per person for the Cable Beach or Paradise Island Experience. We traveled by taxi to the Cable Beach Casino $20 round trip for 2. The taxi driver told us that the Cable Beach was a private beach for the resort hotels. However, we were able to go out on the beach and use the beach chairs with no problem. The beach area was not too crowded so we were able to find seating. Just remember to bring your own towels or take one from the room.
Disembarkation: This is the one negative aspect about the Bahamas Celebration cruise. You have to be out of the cabin by 8:00 am. They let people off starting at about 9 am starting with deck 9 and working their way down to the lower decks. We were able to leave the ship by about 9:45. We did not have to walk through drug-sniffing dogs as stated by another review.
Overall Experience:The staff was great and accommodating. The ship was very clean. They were consistently vacuuming and cleaning. My husband and I had a great trip for a low cost. We would definitely cruise with Caribbean Cruise Line again especially if we are on a tight budget.
PS - $5 per person/ a day fuel charge was added during this trip.
Grade = A-